bretz



May 9, 1961 Frank E'. Breiz, efr.

vUnited States Patent O VALVE MECHANISM FOR DISPENSING APPARATUS Frank E. Bretz, Jr., Elmhurst, llll., or, by mesneV ent, to Precision Valve Corporation, Yonkers, N.Y., a corporation of New York e '17 Claims. `(Cl. 239-123) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [1| appears n the original patentbnt forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made hy reissue.

, struction and highly eicient in operation.

This invention relates to valve mechanisms and more particularly to an improved valve for dispensing, in spray or aerosol form, materials contained under pressure. The valve mechanism herein is of the type set forth n my co-pending application Serial No. 457,769, now Patent No. 2,801,029, filed September 22, 1954, of which this application is a continuation-in-part.

The valve of the present invention is a simplified modification of the valve of the parent application. Generally, the valve construction includes a spray tip or press button having a cleaning lug arranged to be actuated through and along certain flow orifices to clean out any foreign or other matter lodged therein. Also, a valve stem, which the press button removably embraces, is so shaped as to provide a longitudinally extending ow passageway between the stem and button. Adjacent surfaces of the button and stem, at and adjacent the end of the stern, are shaped to provide expansion chamber and bow passageways so arranged as to direct effluent streams of aerosol mixtures in a circular path to Vprovide a thorough mixture of materials and a more finely divided ejection spray.

These features permit the use of viscous formulations which normally clog iiow passageways required to be restricted in cross-section to effect a spray ejection.

An important object, then, of this invention is the provision of a dispensing valve mechanism which permits, with equal facility and uniform operation, the vaporization and atomization of various types of aerosol mixtures without being affected by the numerous-ditferent solids or chemicals involved.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a dispensing valve mechanism arranged to provide larger ow passageways during the filling operation of an applied container thanare used during the dispensing operation.

Still another object of the invention is the provision in a dispensing -valve mechanism of a system of ow orifices and passageways of such size and position relative to each other as to enhance the aerosol vaporization and atomization of a contained fluid during the ejection or discharge thereof from the container.

Another and further object of the invention is the provision of a dispensing valve mechanism having 'ow orifices directing efluent streams of aerosol mixtures in a circular path in an expansion chamber immediately be- .fore ejection into the atmosphere.

Another and still further object of this invention is to provide a dispensing valve mechanism adapted to be actuated to clean certain internal ow passageways and orifices and thereby maintain dispensing el`n`ciency.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a dispensing valve mechanism readily adapted for economical mass production without the use of soldering, welding, brazing or threading. l

Ice-

A still further object of the invention is the provisionr of a dispensing valve mechanism which is simple in con Other objects and advantages of the invention become apparent from .the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a fragmental vertical cross-sectional view ofthe valve device of this invention shown as being mounted in a container; s

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional viewA taken along a plane indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 1; f

Figure 3 is a. horizontal lcross-sectional view taken along a plane indicatedl by the line 3 3 of Figure 1 and showing certain ofthe ow passageways at Vthe ejection nozzle; j

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along a plane indicated by the line 4'-4 of Figure I and showing the flow passageways around the stem for directing streams of aerosol material against each other in an expansion chamber;

Figure 5 is a -fragmental horizontal cross-sectional view, with parts in elevation, showing the operative oon'- nection of the valve element and press button in their abutting seated engagement;

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along a plane indicated by the line 6-6 of Figure 1 and illustrating the operative connection of the valve ele ment and valve housing to limit relative rotation therebetween;

Figure 7 is a plan view ofthe bottom face ofthe press button showing a cleaning lug thereon; and,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the upper end of the button, taken substantially at right angles to the section illustrated in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure l ofthe drawings, the reference numeral 10 designates a cup-shaped mounting cap for a container designed for holding aerosol material under pressure. At its upper edge, the top wall of the container cap is formed into an outwardly and down wardly extending bead 11. The container proper (not shown) may be assembled to the container cap in any desired fashion. One arrangement could be the forni ing of a wall bead in the container to be complementally embraced in crimped engagement by the bead 11 of the cap. A central portion of the bottom 12 of the cap is shaped as an inverted cup 13 to provide an inwardly sloping shoulder 14 for a purpose to be described in detail later herein., A central opening 15 Vis provided in the top wall of the cup 13. f Y A The container and mounting cap may be made of any suitable material which will withstand internal pressures exerted by the particular dispersant utilized as the pro'- pellant in the spray or aerosol composition to be con? tained. Usually, the material is metal.

A disc type gasket 16, formed of a suitable material such as natural or synthetic rubber, or the like, is seated within the inverted cup 13 against the top Wall thereof- A central opening 17 in the gasket is smaller than and concentric with the opening 15 in the retaining cap. A vvalve housing 18, preferably of metal or non-resilient plastic, has an outwardly extending ange 19 sized to seat in the container cap against the gasket 16. The sloping shoulder 14, formed after the gasket and housing are assembled in the cap, provides a crimp for holding the assembly in place and serve to maintain the housing flange in pressure engagement with the gasket. The gasket 16 is thereby retained within and squeezed into tight peripheral sealing engagement with adjacent walls of the container cap.v An annular rib or sealing ring 20,v

I on the upper surface of the housing ange 19, is im;

messed by -piessureot'tm crimp into the disc gasket hereby A-a-'iaee-sealingfof-the assembled parts.

The valve housing 18 has 5a tubular body 21 dependngir'om the tlange and terminatingat its lower end in .rtubular vsection '912 having Va 'ow opening l23 therein. h'e'tubular-sectitm yis radapted to receive one end of -a lexible dip tube '(not shown) designed ,to extend sufientlyinto-the containerwhereby contents v-ai'e always through the-.valve =fromor near the bottom of ilefeontainer'.

As best-shown in Figures 1 and 6, the tubular housing ro'ly 21 has Aag-pluralityof'circumferentially spaced innor lugs orribs 24, 24 extending along the bottom Vall and vertically along the sidewall thereof. Each of lle-vertical ribs V24lisso shapedas to provide an internediateand inwardly '-extendingotlset seat 24a. This vris sra purpose to be deiined later herein.

Agp-shaped -valve body 25 is sized to lit loosely iithin thevalve'housing 18 between the lugs 24, 24. l pair of oppositely extending abutment lugs 26, 26 are :on the valve body'to engage opposite lugs 24, lmlimitrelative :rotation of the valve body and the ulve'i-houaing. Regardless of the position of the valve rody when inserted in the valve housing, the lugs limit elative rotation to approximately one-quarter turn.

A -boss 27, on the lower side of the valve body, is mbr'aced by one end of ra coiled spring 28 the other ldof .which seats-on the horizontal portions of the ribs L4, 24. The inside Wall surface 29 of the cup-shaped Valve body is sloped to provide a narrow seal rim 30. Phe coiled .spring '-28 normally urges the valve body into im engagement with-the gasket 16 to seal the interiors l :both the valve andthe container. When the springis ollapsed, the valve body is permitted to move `to a litionfseatedfon-theoset seats 24a, 24a of the -ribs ,24.

As best showninFigures l and 5, Ya valve stern 31 Itendsfrom the cup portion of the valve body through he gket'16'andthe container cap opening 15. ,A aterally extending gslot 32 is provided in the bottom f 'ihezup portonof the valvebody atthe base of the galvemtem 31.y This Yslot terminates intermediately beman ,-the1atcmand vthersloped wall 29 ofthe valve body. @other :slot v 33 in the valve body, on :the opposite ideof the stem, extends from the stem to the sloped ull 39. rA groove 3 4, concentric with thevertical Vaxis 45 lfsthe valve, extends around the -stem with its'outer edge wat 1, the Vouter -end of the slot 3 2. The groove .with Athe- Slot 33 intermediatethe ends.

A Vspray vtip' orpress Ybutton 35 has an axial bore 36 iiendlllg partially along its length and functioning as a 50 ocket `to receive therein the valve stem '31. The main of the bore is of uniform diameter and terminates none vside of thevalve axis in a shoulder 37. A porion 38 of the main bore, on the other side of the valve lxis, extends beyond the shoulder 37 and terminates in .shoulder 39. An axial bore 40, extending beyond the boulders 37 vand 39, is of reduced diameter and terainates lin closely spaced relation to the top of the press mtton. Intermediate the ends of the reduced bore and rpposite that portion of the main bore extended beyond he shoulder 37, there is provided circumferentially exending grooves 41 and 42 located in spaced -relation :.Dghwise or axially of the stem.

The free end 43 'of the stern 31 is sized to rotatably t Within the reduced axial bore 40. When assembled, bis structure .forms an expansion chamber 44 which s in 'ow communication with the inner ends of the paced grooves 41 and 42, which serve as passages for lxeflow of aerosol material. It will be noted that the :duced end 43 of the stem extends downwardly beyond ieshoulder 37. As best shown inFigure 5, theside f `the stem adjacent the base slot 32 has a at surface tangent tothe outer periphery of the reduced end 3. A Vllow passageway 46 is thereby formed to extend etween and connect the slot 32 and the expansion cham or 44 for ow communication.

aus;

Another expansion chamber 47, shown in Figs. I and 8 as substantiallyveirculan is located in that portion kof the'sde wall of the press button forming the reduced axial bore 40 and opposite the portion 38 of the main 5 bore terminating in the shoulder 39. This second expansion chamber is so positioned as-to be in ow communication with thei forward endsofthegrooves 141- and 42. An ejection oriiiee Aconnects the expansion charnber 47 and an exterior spray opening 49 through which material f is sprayed to ,the atmosphere.

The lower end of 'thepressbuttonis shaped to provide a cylindrical portion 50 which is tightly embraced by the 'disc vgasket' 16 vwhen the press button is "applied to the `valve stern and-the' valve is in -aninoperatveposition. When the press button-'is manually depressedto actuate the valve body through the stem, an outwardly liared portion 51 of the valve body is actuated into the central opening of /the disc gasket therebyetecting a tighter seal during the llow of aerosolmaterialfromgthe container through the valve. .As best shown in Figures 1, 5 and 7, a cleaning lug 52 is formed on the lower end `faceof the press button Aand is so .located as to be-in alignment with the.,groove 3 4. Preferably, the lug ,is shaped to complementallycngage the groove to clean the groove of any foreign or other matter lodged ltherein when the press button is Irotated relative to the valve stem. It will be noted that the end of the button seats on the cup surface of the valve body and covers the groove 3 4.

The valve body and stem construction and the valve housing described hereinmay bey formed of any suitable material but it is preferredthat they be of a rigid molded plastic such as nylon. AThe press buttonis also formed Y of Aa molded plastic, preferably a resilient plastic such Vas polyethylene. The particular material used should have the properties o'f rigidity with suicient resilience to permit rotation of thepress button relative tothe valve stem and with adjacentsurfaces thereof tted suilicien'tly close to engage with sealing elfect.

scribed.

The valve mechanism o f`Figure V1 shows the relative position of the various parts in `assembly and with the valve inoperative. To ll the container, the press button 35 is removed from thestem. A mechanism for filling the container isthen applied around the valve stem and the aerosol Amaterial and propellant are injected under pressure. Duringinjection, the coiled spring 28 collapses thereby permitting material to ow through the spaces between the valve stem and exible disc, between the valve body and valve housing, between the ribs 24, 24, and directly into .the container through the central lchan- .nel 23 of the tubular portion22. When the container is filled, a Vrelease of the filling pressure elects a Vsealing of the valve housing by the rim engagement of the valve body and gasket through pressure exerted by the coiled spring.

It will be noted lthat all of the ow passageways during 'the filling operation are relatively large thereby effecting a quick and easy lling of the container.

\ The press button 35 is then applied to the valve stem 31-in seated engagement therewith in which the lower end of the button abuts the bottom face of the cup of the valve body. 'Ihe pressure required to snap the press button yon the valve stempreferably shouldnot overcome the compression of the coiled spring 28 and the internal pressure exerted by the contained aerosol vmixture acting on the valve body to help maintain it -n sealing engagement withthe gasket. It is desired, however, that the press tit of the lbutton on'the valve stem provide 'suicient friction Vtherebetween to eliminate the possibility of inadvertent removal.

The valve mechanism is now ready for operation to eject the aerosol mixture. 'When the press button is 4manually depressed to 'breakthe rim engagement .of the valve body and the gasket, theow channel through the Operation ,of the valve mechanism will now be devalve from the container to the atmosphere is opened to ilow. The pressurized aerosol mixture then ows through the channel 23 into the interior of the valve housing 21, between ribs 24, 24 around the valve body, and intothe 'cup portionV thereof. The material in the cup portion then enters the slot 33, passes through the groove 34 and ow passageway 46, and into the mixing or expansion chamber 44. From the mixing or expansion cham- Iber, the iiow is through the spaced grooves 41 and 42,

into the mixing or expansion chamber 47, and through the orifice 48 into the atmosphere.

vIn Figure is shown the relation of parts when the press button and valve body are connected for operation. It is desirable that the narrower cleaning lug 52 be located centrally of the slot 33. In this position, iluid flow is to both sides of the cleaning lug through the groove 34 and into the vertical channel 46 extending between the stem and press button. However, if the cleaning lug is located at any point along the length of the groove 34 on either side of the stem, iiow is effected to the slot 32 through the open portion of the groove on the other side of the stem. This cleaning feature is of particular importance where the aerosol mixture used is relatively viscous or is of a type which quickly solidilies. By rotating the press button relative to the stem one complete turn, the groove 34 is cleaned along its entire length.

In Figure 8 is diagrammatcally shown the relationship of the grooves 41 and 42 with respect to the mixing or expansion chamber 47. The groove 41 has entry to the chamber at the bottom thereof while the groove 42 has entry at the top. The streams of material, entering the chamber through the grooves, rotate as shown by the arrows thereby effecting a more thorough mixing of the materials just prior to ejection into the atmosphere.

' The provisions in a owchannel of a plurality of restricted orifices, such as the groove 34, the grooves 41 and 42, and the ow orifice 48, and of directing streams of material in a circular ow path as in the chamber 47, all aid in effecting a finer vaporization or atomization of the aerosol material than is possible to obtain in other dispensing valve mechanisms.

Although the invention has been described herein more or less precisely as to details, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereby, as changes may be made in the arrangement and proportion of parts, and equivalents may be substituted, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. A valve mechanism comprising a movable valve element, said element having a cup-shaped body and a stem extending therefrom, an actuator button rotatably embracing said stem, said stem and button having a passageway system extending from the cup of the Valve element and through the button to the exterior thereof, one portion of said passageway system forming a groove in the valve body, another portion of the system forming spaced grooves extending circumferentially of the stem, and a lug on said button arranged for movement through one of said grooves during rotation of the button on the Stem.

2. A valve mechanism comprising a movable valve element, said element having a body and a stem extending therefrom, an actuator button rotatably embracing said stem, said stem and button having a passageway system extending from the body and through the button to the exterior thereof, one portion of said passageway system forming a groove in the valve body, another portion of the system forming spaced grooves extending circumferentially of the stem, and a lug on said button arranged for movement through one of said grooves during rotation of the button on the stem.

3. A valve mechanism comprising a movable valve `'element,said element having a cup-shaped body and a o 6 f passageway system extending from the cup of the valve element and through the button to the exterior thereof, one portionof said passageway system forming a groove in the cup body of the valve element concentric with the rotatable axis of the button, another portion ofthe sys tem forming a plurality of spaced grooves extending circumferentially of the stem `andterminating in a common passageway, and a lug on said button arranged for movement through said valve element groove during rotation of the button.

4. A valve mechanism comprising a cup-shaped valve body and an actuating stem extending therefrom, an actuator button arranged to rotatably embrace said stern, the stem and button having a flow passageway system therebetween extending from the body 'cup to the atmosphere, one portion `of the passageway system forming a groove in the cup-shaped body concentric with the r0- tating axis of the button and being covered by the butf` ton when embracing the stem, another portion of the passageway system connecting the concentric groove and the cup of the bodyA to iiow therebetween, and a lug on said button shaped to complementally seat in and arranged to be moved through said concentric groove durf ing rotation of the button.

5. A valve mechanism comprising a cup-shaped valve body and an actuating stem extending therefrom, an actuator button arranged to rotatably embrace said stem and seat against the cup of the valve body, the stem and button having a ow passageway system therebetween extending from the cup of the valve body along the stem and through the button to the atmosphere, one portion of the passageway system forming a groove in the cupshaped body around and concentric to the rotating axis of the button and located under the seat of the button on the valve body, another portion of the passageway system Vforming slots in the valve body on opposite sides of the stem, said concentric groove connecting with one of the slots at an end thereof and connecting with the other of said slots intermediately of the ends thereof, and a lug on the seat of the button and shaped to complementally engage and arrange to be moved through said concentric groove during rotation of the button.

` .6. A valve mechanism comprising a cup-shaped valve body and an actuating stem extending therefrom, an actuator button arranged to rotatably embrace said stem and seat against the cup of the valve body, the stem and button having a flow passageway system therebetween extending from the cup of the valve body along the stem and through the button to the atmosphere, one portion of the passageway system forming a groove in the cup'- shaped body around and concentric to the rotating axis of the button and located under the seat of the button on the valve body, another portion of the passageway system forming slots in the valve body on opposite sides of the stem, said concentric groove connecting with one of the slots at an end thereof and connecting with the other of said slots intermediately ofthe ends thereof, still another portion of the passageway system forming spaced grooves extending circumferentially of the Stem Y and an expansion chamber in which the grooves terminate, and a lug on the seat of the button and shaped to complementally engage and arranged to be moved through said concentric groove during rotation of the button.

- 7. A valve mechanism comprising a valve body and an actuating stem extending therefrom, an actuator button rotatably mounted on said stem and seated against the valve body, the stem and button having a flow passageway system therebetween extending from the valve body along the stem and through the button to the atmosphere, one portion of the passageway system forming a groove in the body concentric to the rotating axis of the button and located under the seat of the button of the valve body, another portion of the passageway system forming slots in the valve body on opposite sides of the stem, said conwith one of the slots at an reof ,and connecting with the other of said slots intermediately of the ends thereof, still another portion of the passageway system forming spaced groovesexteuding circumferentially. of the stem and an expansion chamber in .which `the, grooves terminate, and a lug on the seat of the button .shaped to .complementally engage and arto. be moved through said concentric groove duringrotation of .the button.

V8. A valve mechanism comprising avalve body and anactnating stem ,extending therefrom, an actuator buttonxotatably mounted on said stem and seated against the valve body, the stem and button having a ow passageway system therebetween extending from the valve body along the stem and through the button to the atmosphere, one portion of the passageway system forminga groove in the-body concentric to the rotating axis gf .the button andloted under the seat of the button on the valve body, another portion of the passageway systemforming at least one vslot in the valve body, said concentricgroove connecting with the slot, still another of the passageway system forming spaced grooves extending circumferentially of the stem'and an expansion chamber infwhich the grooves terminate, and means on button to be moved through said concentric groove stllanother portion of the passageway system forming v spaced grooves vextending circumferentially of the stem and anexpanson chamber in which the grooves terminate, vand a .lug on the button shapedv to complementally `engage rand arranged to :be moved through said concentric groove .during rotation of the button.

.10. An assembly of the character described comprising: a molded press button having a socket, a valve stem formed to provide a passage and received in said socket in peripheral sealing .engagement with a substantial portion of the socket wall area, said button having an ejection orifice formed through its wall and opening into said area of peripheral sealing engagement to providea discharge passage with a depression integrally formed in one wall .of the socket in said sealing area forming a shallow substantially circular chamber surrounding the inner end vofsaid ejection orifice, there being a fluid feed passage formed in the button communicating at one end with the passage of the valve stem and at its other end intersecting .said circular chamber substantially tangentially of the latter.

11. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein the A circular chamber is substantially coaxial with the ejection orifice.

12. In an assembly of the character described, a pressurized container having a valve with an upstanding valve stemformed to provide therein a discharge passage, a molded valve operating button provided in its bottom with a socket containing one end of the valve stem, said `button also having formed therein an ejection orifice leading through one lateral side of the button from a .substantially circular chamber integrally formed within `the confines of the button laterally of and in one side of 'the socket wall withthe axis of said chamber in angular relation to the axis ,of thesocket, said button also having 'formed therein. a passageV leading from the passage in the valve stem to the circular ychamber and merging therelwith substantially tangentially thereof.

.lnan assembly .o f the character described, .pd ,plessurized container having a. valve with an upstanding yvulve stem ,formed vto provide therein a discharge passage, a molded valve voperating button provided in its .bottom with usocket containing .one end of the valvestem, button also having lformed therein an ejection `.orifice leading .through ,onelateral side `of the button from a,

substantially vcircular chamber integrally formed within the confines of the Vbutton laterallyof andl in one. side `of the` socket wall'wth the axis of said chamber in angular relation to the axis of thesocket, said button also having formed therein groovesextending in-opposite directions about the valve .stem and leading from the passage in the valve stem tothe opposite sides ofthe circular chamber and merging therewith substantially tangentially thereof.

-14. A molded yvalve operating press button provided with a socket to receive the valve stem of a ,containerof pressurized material, saidbutton 'having thereinan .ejection orifice forming an integral part of the buttonond extending fromv the exterior ofthe button and merging interiorly of the button into a substantially circular expansion chamber also l forming an integral part ofthe button and one side-of which isopen tothe socket, said button .also havingintegrally formed therein apassage leading from said socket .to and merging into said ,expension cham-ber ,substantially tangentally of the latter to direct .eiuent pressurized material entering the chamber in, a circular path within said expansion vchamber immediately before ejection of such material into the .atmosphere. f

15.,A press button according to claim 14, wherein v,the ejection orifice is substantially coaxial .with the circular expansion chamber.

16. A valve operating press button -for the valvegstem of a container of pressurized material, said button being an integral molding provided lwith a socket to receive and snugly fit the-end of the valve stem to be operated lby the button, there beingintegrally formed in thebutton a substantially circular expansion chamber onesideof which is open to the interior of said socket and the axis of which is in angular relation to the axis of the socket, said buttonalso-having integrally formed therein 1 -,passage leading from the socket to and merging into-said circular chamber substantially tangentially of the latter, and said button also having an ejection orifice leading from said chamber to the exterior of the button.

17. A valve operating press button provided with a socket to receive the valve stem of a container of pressurized materal,. said button having an ejection orifice forming an integral part of the button extending from .the exterior-of the button and merging interiorly .of the within said etqpansionchamber immediately before .ejection of such material into the atmosphere.

References Cited in the tile of this patent or the original patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,213,846 Meyer Sept. 3, 19.4.0 2,362,080 Martin Nov. 7, 1944 2,686,652 Carlson et al. Aug. .17,1954 2,693,983 Howell Nov. 9, 1954 2,702,957 Cooprider et. al Mar. 1, l955 2,734,773

Ivins Peb. 14, 195,6 

